Page 81 of The Ghost of Ellwood

Theo waited until we were in the car to say anything. “You’re pale, Ben. Are you feeling well?”

“I’m fine.”

I didn’t want to ruin our good night by obsessing over something I couldn’t explain.

The farther we got from town, the better I felt. When we pulled onto Ellwood, I breathed easier. Felt lighter. As the manor came into view, the nerves eased in my stomach and I wasn’t nearly as shaky. Anxiety was swept away and I was left with a sense of peace.

Until I saw the dark shapes disappear around the back of my house.

My first thought was Wayne had trespassed again.

“Jesus Christ,” I grumbled, removing the key from the ignition and getting out of the car. “Wait inside, Theo.”

“What if you need my help?”

I met him at the front of the car and squeezed his hand. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

He nodded before striding up to the porch and slipping inside the house.

I took off to the left, hoping to take whoever it was by surprise by approaching from the greenhouse. As I neared the corner, I heard chuckling, followed by shushing pleas. That’s when I knew it wasn’t Wayne, but rather, a group of kids who knew the dark rumors about my manor and hoped to catch sight of a ghost.

“Okay, guys,” I said, rounding the corner. “Come out. You’re trespassing on my property.”

Silence followed my request.

“If you don’t come out, I’ll be forced to tell the demon who haunts the manor to attack. He hasn’t fed in quite some time. We don’t want that, do we?”

Four shapes darted out from behind the shed, holding flashlights and wearing hoodies. They looked no older than fifteen.

“S-Sorry, sir!” one boy exclaimed. “Please don’t do that.”

“Yeah, we’re sorry!”

“Won’t happen again.”

“Is there really a demon?”

The other three shoved the last one who’d spoken, telling him to shut up.

I grinned, remembering my own teen years. I had snuck into many supposedly haunted places—houses and old factories—seeking the thrill of a good scare.

“Go home, guys,” I said. “It’s a school night.”

“Yes, sir!” The tallest of them saluted me before nudging the one beside him. “Come on, losers.”

They ran toward the front yard like something was chasing them. One of them even screamed, being a little shithead. I hoped they made it home safely. I had let them off easy, but not everyone would’ve been as understanding. The world was filled with psychos.

I unlocked the back door and entered the house. No lights were on, and it was quiet. I paused in the kitchen and listened for any signs of Theo.

Creak.

I flipped to the right and saw him standing under the archway leading from the kitchen and into the living room. He’d removed the hoodie and stood bare chested, his pale skin glowing in the dark. My cock twitched at the sight. He stepped forward, the hunger gleaming in his eyes despite the darkness.

I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out.

And then Theo was in front of me, grabbing my face and crushing his lips to mine.

The kiss was heated. Feverish. Our teeth clanked together, and I moaned as he tugged at my sweatshirt.